第６２９堀：カグラたちの今後と片手間の話 (Part1)
Chapter 629: Kagura's Future and a Side Task
Side: Rurua
When my husband suddenly summoned me, I thought the Church Assault Operation had failed and there were casualties. Fortunately, it was only Kagura, Mikos, and Solo who had fallen ill after witnessing the gruesome scene. It was understandable for young girls like them to react that way after seeing those rotten, dismembered remains. Even I grimaced when I reviewed the crime scene photos and identified the recovered bodies. It made me wonder how cruel humans could be. That site was undoubtedly a torture chamber set up to pour magical energy into magic gear, and a place to dismember broken things. Thankfully, no infections from pathogens in the decayed bodies were found.
"Phew. That should be everything."
Once I finish recording the three girls' conditions in their medical charts and print them to take to my husband, my work here will be done. To be honest, I'd prefer to be working here with my husband, but Weed is also extremely busy with the Logari-If Intercontinental Exchange. I'm swamped not only with supporting the Litea Holy Nation but also with medical matters, such as establishing a quarantine system to prevent the introduction of pathogens. Elju is also incredibly busy with me, working on the quarantine system and medical activities at the hospital. The problem is that medical knowledge hasn't permeated this world at all, so personnel aren't being trained, and there's a severe shortage of staff. However, we can't postpone intercontinental exchange, and my husband also intends to use this opportunity to spread the understanding of treating illnesses from a medical perspective, so I can't remain here.
"...It's truly regrettable, but lives are at stake."
If, by any chance, our countermeasures are delayed and highly dangerous pathogens spread, the intercontinental exchange could easily escalate into an intercontinental war. Every action we take has meaning. It will help my husband. As for wanting to be more intimate, things should settle down for a while once this commotion is over, so I'll just have to be patient. Patience!
Lost in such thoughts, I visited Yuki's office, our base in Hyden, only to find Yuki absent. Deryu was doing paperwork at the desk instead.
"Oh? Deryu, where's my husband?"
"Hmm? Oh, Rurua. Yuki is in the next room with Ria, nursing Kagura and the others."
"Nursing?"
I tilted my head at Deryu's words. My husband, personally?
"Did their condition suddenly worsen?"
I panicked for a moment, wondering if I had overlooked something, but Deryu shook her head.
"No. Nothing in particular. It's just that Yuki..."
"Something about my husband?"
"...Hmm. This is a tough one. Well, you should go see him."
"Huh? So, he's in the next room?"
"Indeed. For now, I'll continue with my paperwork."
Unusually, Deryu resumed her paperwork. Normally, she'd be clinging to my husband with me. Feeling puzzled, I entered the next room to find my husband looking very troubled as he cared for Kagura and the others.
"H-Husband?"
"Hmm? Oh, Rurua."
"Yes. I brought the completed medical charts."
"I see. Thank you. Let me see them."
Saying that, my husband immediately returned to his usual expression, took the charts from me, and began to read them, but his face quickly grew stern. Why? There was nothing particularly wrong with them.
"Um, Husband. Why do you look so pained? Did something happen?"
Did someone bully you? Tell me, and I'll make sure they pay dearly. When I said that, my husband looked surprised and began to give a wry smile.
"No, I just felt relieved seeing that there was nothing wrong in these charts, and then I felt pathetic, like, 'Am I a kid or something?'"
"Pathetic? You, Husband?"
I didn't understand. If my husband was pathetic, then every man in the world would be pathetic. As I thought this and looked at my husband, he turned his gaze to Kagura and the others.
"I pushed Kagura and the others, or rather, Kagura, too hard."
"Eh?"
Too hard? What did he mean?
"You know I called you because Kagura fell ill, right?"
"Yes. I heard she vomited. But she saw such a terrible situation. It's only natural."
"Yes. It's natural. But even though it was natural, I didn't realize it and couldn't support Kagura until she came to report to me, including the aftermath and everything. I only realized it after Kagura vomited in the office. I told her to rest, but she didn't seem to hear me and just started cleaning up. Pale, she gathered it with her bare hands, apologizing and crying..."
"...Husband."
Ah, I see. I finally understood why my husband looked like this. He felt sorry for Kagura.
"...Indeed. For you, Husband, you were a bit unobservant this time."
Normally, he wouldn't push such work onto women or children.
"...Right? Somewhere, I guess I also harbored some resentment towards Kagura. I told my wives not to do such things, and yet here I am. The biggest problem is that I didn't realize it myself until now. Kagura worked hard without complaining, and she reached her limit."
...From my perspective, the series of incidents, including the summoning, caused by Kagura—no, by Hyden—were originally at a level where even beheading Kagura wouldn't be enough. It was an international issue, or rather, an event that would normally lead to war and countless bloodshed. I believe my husband's consideration has been quite fortunate for Kagura, but it seems it wasn't so for my husband. I know of Kagura's efforts until now, and I've actually spoken with her, so I understand she's not a bad person. That's why he feels this guilt. This incident must have pierced my husband's Japanese conscience. However, that's precisely why I'm at a loss for words. If telling him not to worry would make him stop worrying, he wouldn't have worried in the first place. The fact that he's here nursing Kagura and the others is proof that he's deeply concerned.
"...Resentment is a natural human emotion. Husband, you've endured too much until now."
My mouth moved on its own, unexpectedly. But there was no hesitation. Yes. My husband has worked so hard, hasn't he? He was brought to another world and solved many troubles, including those concerning us.
"...No matter the reason, it's not how you should treat a younger girl. It's practically lashing out."
"Yes. It might be lashing out. But even that is a natural human emotion. In a way, I might even envy Kagura. I've never been lashed out at like that. Well, there were some minor acts of malice."
More than malice, it was a barrage of logical arguments, so I was the child then.
"You wouldn't be happy to be lashed out at, would you?"
"No, actually, being lashed out at by someone you love can feel good, like they're relying on you. It's a nice, childish feeling."
"...Normally, I'd expect to be told to get a divorce."
"If a relationship would break over something like that, then it was that kind of relationship to begin with. However, our relationship won't crumble over a mere outburst."
What's wrong with my husband, who has worked so hard until now, showing a moment of weakness? What kind of wife would I be if I couldn't accept even that much?
"...We've strayed from the topic. So, you're troubled about Kagura's future, it seems."
"Her future...? What do you intend to do?"
"Well, I don't want her to endure my lashing out anymore. So, as an apology for everything until now, I'm thinking she'll focus on diplomatic service in Weed. Mikos and Solo will go with her. I want them to eat delicious food and relax. After all, all that's left is to crush the people behind the church."